Enzymatic epoxidation of Sapindus mukorossi seed oil by perstearic acid optimized using response surface methodology

As a novel renewable resource, Sapindus mukorossi seed oil (SMSO) with an iodine value of 84.86 g/100 g, and containing 51.0 ± 0.9% oleic acid (18:1), 6.6 ± 0.6% linoleic acid (18:2), 1.1 ± 0.3% linolenic acid (18:3), and 23.1 ± 0.9% eicosanoic acid (20:1), was epoxidized using hydrogen peroxide as oxygen donor and stearic acid as active oxygen carrier in the presence of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B. The effect of the amount of stearic acid on the enzymatic epoxidation was investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study and optimize the effects of variables (reaction temperature, enzyme load, mole ratio of H₂O₂/CC-bonds, and reaction time) on the epoxy oxygen group content (EOC) of epoxidized SMSO. Results showed that stearic acid as active oxygen carrier could enhance the enzymatic epoxidation of SMSO. The variables of reaction temperature and enzyme load were the most significant in the process. A two second-order model was satisfactorily fitted the data (R² = 0.9723) with non-significant lack of fit. The optimum EOC of epoxidized SMSO was 4.6 ± 0.3% under the conditions of 50.0 °C, 7.0 h, 2.00% (relative to the weight of SMSO) enzyme load, and 4:1 mole ratio of H₂O₂/CC-bonds.     

Growth of the whole root system for a plant crop of sugarcane under rainfed and irrigated environments in Brazil

Sugarcane crops are managed over 8 million hectares in Brazil and future extensions might occur on less favorable lands where irrigation would be necessary to increase and stabilize yields. Root growth was studied by sequential soil coring under rainfed and irrigated conditions for one cultivar widely planted in Brazil. Root length densities (RLD) were measured 34, 49, 125, 179, 241 and 322 days after planting (DAP) down to a depth of 1 m. At the harvest (332 DAP), root intersects (a proxy for RLD) were counted on two vertical trench walls in each water supply regime, down to a depth of 6.0 m. The highest RLD in deep layers (below a depth of 0.6 m) were observed in the rainfed crop from 125 DAP onwards. By contrast, the highest RLD in the upper layers during dry periods were found in the irrigated crop. The maximum depth reached by roots at the harvest was little affected by irrigation: 4.70 m and 4.25 m in the rainfed and irrigated crop, respectively. About 50% of root intersects were observed below the depth of 1 m in the two water supply regimes. This pattern suggested a strong genetic control of root growth in deep soil layers. The total amount of root intersects 332 DAP was 49% higher in the rainfed crop than in the irrigated crop, and root distribution was more homogeneous. Mean root front velocity was about 0.5 cm day⁻¹ the first 4 months after planting and increased thereafter up to the end of the harvest (1.86 cm day⁻¹ and 1.75 cm day⁻¹ on average in the rainfed and the irrigated crops, respectively). Our study pointed out the necessity to take into account the development of sugarcane roots in deep soil layers to improve our understanding of net primary production control by water availability.     

Characterisation of the phospholipid fraction of hulled and naked tetraploid and hexaploid wheats

Phospholipid (PL) profile was determined on lipids extracted from the whole grains of 10 genotypes of tetraploid wheats (Triticum dicoccon Schrank and Triticum durum Desf.) and 10 genotypes of hexaploid wheats (Triticum spelta L. and Triticum aestivum L.) by a liquid chromatography system coupled on-line with an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD). Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine were the major PL determined, accounting for more than 70% of total PL. PL represented about 10% of total lipids and were detected in naked wheats at levels of 10.1 and 10.4 g/100 g of lipids (T. durum and T. aestivum, respectively) whereas in the corresponding ancestors T. dicoccon and T. spelta PL amounts were 8.4 and 9.1 g/100 g of lipids, respectively. PL amount in naked wheats was about 17% higher than that determined on average in hulled wheats: 10.2 ± 2.8 vs. 8.7 ± 2.2 g/100 g of lipids, respectively. A hyphenated system HPLC-ELSC was revealed as a useful and more informative tool to identify different PL classes with a minimal experimental workout in comparison to the organic phosphorus assay. The identification of PL molecular species was performed by HPLC, employing as detector a mass spectrometer working in negative ASI-ES mode.     

Short rotation willow coppice biomass as an industrial and energy feedstock

In order to increase the yield of short rotation willow coppice cultivated on agricultural land and to improve the biomass quality as an industrial and energy feedstock, particular consideration should be devoted to proper location and to the cultivation of woody plants. This paper presents the yield of five new cultivars of willow coppice and the relationship between the chemical composition of biomass and the plant harvest cycle. The Tur cultivar has been shown to have the highest mean productivity of 21.5 t of d.m. ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. In a three-year harvest cycle, the cultivar also gave biomass with the highest cellulose:lignin ratio (2.14). The significantly highest yield of dry biomass from the cultivars under study (20.5 t of d.m. ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) was achieved in a three-year harvest cycle. It was lower by 3.4% on average in a two-year harvest cycle and lower by 17.2% in a one-year harvest cycle as compared to a three-year cycle. As the harvest cycle was extended, the biomass quality in terms of its chemical composition improved. The biomass obtained in a three-year cycle contained the highest amount of cellulose (44.6% of d.m.) and the lowest amount of lignin (21.8% of d.m.). The results indicate that the agrotechnical factors, including the cultivar and the harvest cycle, affect not only the yield, but also the qualitative features of short rotation coppice willow biomass.     

Optimisation of a solvent for the complete extraction of prolamins from heated foods

Wheat bread was lyophilised, ground, extracted and centrifuged. The supernatants were analysed for gluten content by RP-HPLC and a commercial sandwich ELISA. Prolamin extraction solvents contained tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 mmol/L), guanidine hydrochloride (GUA; 0 or 2 mol/L) and a buffered salt solution. A commercial cocktail solution (250 mmol/L mercaptoethanol (ME), 2 mol/L GUA, buffered salt solution) as well as 60% (v/v) ethanol were used as control solvents. Wheat flour was the control for the extractability of the native prolamins. 60% ethanol only extracted 37% of the prolamins from wheat bread (cocktail = 100%). When ME was replaced by TCEP the protein yield increased from 35% at the lowest TCEP-level to 95% when 20–50 mmol/L TCEP were used. The use of GUA was essential to extract prolamins quantitatively. Comparative protein analysis using RP-HPLC and ELISA showed that both methods provided comparable prolamin (gliadin) concentrations of the wheat flour (40.3–45.7 mg/g), when 60% ethanol was used as extraction solvent. The extraction yields from bread were considerably lower (16.7–24.7 mg/g). Cocktail and TCEP extracted almost the same amount of protein from flour and bread with TCEP showing slightly lower yields. Total extractable protein (gliadin + glutenin) as determined by RP-HPLC was 70.5–75.3 mg/g, and total gliadin as determined by ELISA was 42.7–44.2 mg/g. Thus, the study has shown that TCEP in combination with GUA extracts proteins from heated, gluten-containing foods as effective as the commercial cocktail solution.     

Effects of transition season management on soil N dynamics and system N balances in rice–wheat rotations of Nepal

In the low-input rice–wheat production systems of Nepal, the N nutrition of both crops is largely based on the supply from soil pools. Declining yield trends call for management interventions aiming at the avoidance of native soil N losses. A field study was conducted at two sites in the lowland and the upper mid-hills of Nepal with contrasting temperature regimes and durations of the dry-to-wet season transition period between the harvest of wheat and the transplanting of lowland rice. Technical options included the return of the straw of the preceding wheat crop, the cultivation of short-cycled crops during the transition season, and combinations of both. Dynamics of soil N_min, nitrate leaching, nitrous oxide emissions, and crop N uptake were studied throughout the year between 2004 and 2005 and partial N balances of the cropping systems were established. In the traditional system (bare fallow between wheat and rice) a large accumulation of soil nitrate N and its subsequent disappearance upon soil saturation occurred during the transition season. This nitrate loss was associated with nitrate leaching (6.3 and 12.8 kg ha⁻¹ at the low and high altitude sites, respectively) and peaks of nitrous oxide emissions (120 and 480 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ at the low and high altitude sites, respectively). Incorporation of wheat straw at 3 Mg ha⁻¹ and/or cultivation of a nitrate catch crop during the transition season significantly reduced the build up of soil nitrate and subsequent N losses at the low altitude site. At the high altitude site, cumulative grain yields increased from 2.35 Mg ha⁻¹ with bare fallow during the transition season to 3.44 Mg ha⁻¹ when wheat straw was incorporated. At the low altitude site, the cumulative yield significantly increased from 2.85 Mg ha⁻¹ (bare fallow) to between 3.63 and 6.63 Mg ha⁻¹, depending on the transition season option applied. Irrespective of the site and the land use option applied during the transition season, systems N balances remained largely negative, ranging from −37 to −84 kg N ha⁻¹. We conclude that despite reduced N losses and increased grain yields the proposed options need to be complemented with additional N inputs to sustain long-term productivity.     

Selection of cultivars for minimization of waste and of water consumption in cassava starch production

When considering the sustainability of a business, deciding on the industrial use of starchy raw materials requires more than just the information on their agricultural productivity and starch yield. The main goal of this work was to investigate ten different cultivars to select for industrial applications seeking to minimize residue generation and water consumption in the production of cassava starch. The cassava cultivars that are richer in starch (22.61-22.89 g 100 g⁻¹) generated the smallest amounts of residues (420.63-423.52 kg ton⁻¹ of cassava roots) and required the smallest amounts of water for processing. There is an inverse relationship between the dry matter content in cassava roots and the amount of solid residues generated. One of the cultivars stood out for showing the following features: high starch yield, little tendency for generation of residues, low requirement of water for processing, easiness in the peeling process, and high content of total solids; therefore such features can suggest its use for starch extraction with wastes minimization.     

Biomass sorghum production and components under different irrigation/tillage systems for the southeastern U.S.

Renewable energy sources are necessary to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) may be a reasonable alternative as an energy crop in the southern U.S. because it could easily fit into existing production systems, it is drought resistant, and it has large biomass production potential. An experiment was conducted to evaluate several types of sorghum as bioenergy crops in Alabama: grain sorghum - NK300 (GS), forage sorghum - SS 506 (FS), and photoperiod sensitive forage sorghum - 1990 (PS). These sorghum crops were compared to forage corn (Zea mays L.) - Pioneer 31G65 in 2008 and 2009 with and without irrigation, and under conventional (total disked area, 0.15 m deep) and conservation tillage (in-row subsoiling, 0.30 m deep) in a strip-split-plot design. The parameters evaluated were: plant population (PP), plant height (PH), sorghum/corn aboveground dry matter (ADM), biomass moisture content (ABMC), and biomass quality (holocellulose, lignin, and ash). Sorghum had greater ADM than corn; however, corn had lower ABMC than sorghum. Lodging was observed in PS and FS, probably due to high plant populations (>370,000 plants ha⁻¹). Irrigation affected ADM positively in both years, but conservation systems improved ADM production only in 2009. Holocellulose, lignin, and ash variation differed significantly among crops but were lower than 8.3%, 2.0% and 1.9%, respectively, for both years and considered minor. Under conditions of this study, PS was considered the best variety for ADM production as it yielded 26.0 and 30.1 Mg ha⁻¹ at 18 and 24 weeks after planting (WAP).     

Analysis of polyphenols in cereals may be improved performing acidic hydrolysis: A study in wheat flour and wheat bran and cereals of the diet

Most analytical studies on polyphenols in cereals refer to compounds determined in aqueous-organic extracts and alkali hydrolysates, but an appreciable amount of polyphenols bound to cell wall constituents may remain insoluble in the residues of extraction and alkali hydrolysis. The main objective of this work was to determine if sulphuric acid hydrolysis may release significant amounts of polyphenols to be considered for analytical and nutritional studies. HPLC/MS analyses of polyphenols were performed in methanol–acetone extracts, alkali and sulphuric acid hydrolysates of wheat flour, bran and a pool of cereals of the diet. The amount of polyphenols found in the acidic hydrolysates (200–1600 mg/100 g) was higher than in alkali hydrolysates (0.2–372 mg/100 g). Lower amount of polyphenols were found in the methanol–acetone extracts (44–160 mg/100 g). Hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, cinammic, ferulic and protocatechuic acids were the main constituents of the hydrolysates. The contribution of cereals to the intake of dietary polyphenols in Spain was estimated around 360 mg/person/day (65 mg of extractable and 295 mg nonextractable polyphenols).     

Characteristics of canopy structure and contributions of non-leaf organs to yield in winter wheat under different irrigated conditions

Non-leaf green organs of wheat plants may have significant photosynthetic potential and contribute to grain yield when the plants are subjected to stress at late growth stages. Canopy structure, change of green non-leaf organ area (e.g., ear, peduncle, sheath), the proportion of green non-leaf organs area to total green area and the contribution proportion from different organs’ photosynthate to grain yield in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were studied at Wuqiao Experiment Station of China Agricultural University, Hebei, China, in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 using two winter wheat cultivars, Shijiazhuang8 (SJZ-8) and Lumai21 (LM-21). Four irrigation treatments used were W0 (no water applied during spring), W1 (750 m³ ha⁻¹ water applied at elongation), W2 (1500 m³ ha⁻¹ applied 50% at elongation and 50% at anthesis) and W4 (3000 m³ ha⁻¹ applied 25% at upstanding, booting, anthesis and grain filling), respectively. Results showed that the area of top three leaf blades decreased and the proportion of green non-leaf organ area to the total green area at anthesis increased with the decreasing of water supply. Root weight increased in the 0-100 cm soil layer and decreased in the 100-200 cm layer when water supply increased, suggesting reducing irrigation enhanced root weight in deep soil layer. The photosynthetic contribution of non-leaf organs above flag leaf node to grain yield increased with decreasing water supply, and was significantly higher than that of the flag leaf blade contribution. Winter wheat grain yield increased, but water use efficiency (WUE) decreased, with increase in water supply. Higher light transmission ratio in the canopy after anthesis was achieved with smaller size and high quality top leaf blades, higher grain-leaf ratio and larger proportion of green non-leaf area, which lead to higher canopy photosynthetic rate and WUE after anthesis. Irrigation of 1500 m³ ha⁻¹ applied in two parts, 750 m³ ha⁻¹ applied at elongation and another 750 m³ ha⁻¹ applied at anthesis, was the best irrigation scheme for efficient water use and for high yield in winter wheat.     

Narrow row spacing and high plant population to short height castor genotypes in two cropping seasons

Castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) produces a very important oil for chemical and biofuel industries. However, doubts remain about what the best plant arrangement is to obtain the maximum yield of seeds and oil from short height castor genotypes cultivated in higher plant population. This study evaluated two castor genotypes (FCA-PB and IAC 2028) in 5 plant arrangements (row spacing × in-row spacing): 0.90 m × 0.44 m (traditional), 0.90 m × 0.20 m, 0.75 m × 0.24 m, 0.60 × 0.30 m, and 0.45 m × 0.40 m, in spring-summer and fall-winter cropping seasons in Botucatu, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The traditional plant arrangement comprised an initial plant population of 25,000 plants ha⁻¹, while the others comprised 55,000 plants ha⁻¹. The IAC 2028 genotype presented the greatest plant height, first raceme insertion height, basal stem diameter, number of fruits per raceme and 100 seed weight; however, seed yield and seed oil content were equal between genotypes. Wider stems and higher number of racemes per plant and fruits per raceme were observed with a 0.90 m × 0.44 m plant arrangement, but due to the lowest plant population (25,000 plants ha⁻¹) in this plant arrangement, the higher values of the yield components mentioned above did not result in higher yield. The higher plant population (55,000 plants ha⁻¹) by narrower row spacings (0.45 or 0.60 m) combination produced a higher castor seed yield. The effect of plant arrangement was more intense in the spring-summer cropping season.     

Impact of nitrogen amount and timing on the potential of acrylamide formation in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Acrylamide (AA), a potential human carcinogen, is formed in strongly heated carbohydrate-rich food as a part of the Maillard reaction. The amino acid asparagine (Asn) and reducing sugars are considered to be the main precursors for AA formation. In a 2-year field trial the impact of nitrogen (N) amount and timing on the content of AA precursors and the potential of AA formation in different winter wheat cultivars (cv.) were studied in association with respective grain yields and parameters of baking quality. Depending on year, cultivar and nitrogen treatment Asn contents ranged between 4 and 18 mg 100 g⁻¹ flour dry-matter (DM). Nitrogen treatments affecting crude protein contents in flours above 13% caused a considerable increase in free Asn. Nitrogen amounts of 220 kg N ha⁻¹ increased the contents of free Asn by between 130% and 270% depending on year and cultivar compared to the untreated controls. A close linear correlation between the content of free Asn and the potential of AA formation (2004: R² = 0.89, 2005: R² = 0.83) could be observed, whereas no correlation could be found between reducing sugars and the potential of AA formation, pointing to the importance of free Asn as the limiting and thus determining factor for the AA formation potential in wheat flours. To reach high crude protein contents and good sedimentation values demanded for breadstuffs, nitrogen amounts of at least 180 kg N ha⁻¹ were necessary. Nitrogen fertilization measures resulting in high crude protein contents above 13% enhanced the potential of AA formation by increasing the content of free Asn in flours. As long as demands from traders and producers for flour with high crude protein contents are not revised, lowering Asn contents and thus the potential for AA formation by application of N amounts below 180 kg N ha⁻¹ and abandoning the late application of N do not appear to be successful ways to reduce the risk of AA formation in breadstuffs.     

Optimization of extraction conditions of antioxidants from sunflower shells (Helianthus annuus L.) before and after enzymatic treatment

The effects of three independent variables: solvent polarity, temperature and extraction time on the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and phenolic acid composition in extracts obtained from sunflower shells before and after enzymatic treatment were studied. Response surface methodology based on three-level, three-variable Box-Behnken design was used for optimization of extraction parameters and evaluation of their effect on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in shell extracts.The average antioxidant capacities of extracts from sunflower shells without enzymatic treatment (368.1-1574.4 μmol TE/100 g) were higher than those for cellulolytic and pectolytic enzymes-treated shells (222.7-1419.0 and 270.7-1570.7 μmol TE/100 g, respectively). The content of total phenolic compounds ranged between 58.2-341.2 mg CGA/100 g, 26.7-277.3 mg CGA/100 g and 51.4-301.5 mg CGA/100 g for extracts obtained from shells without enzyme and treated with cellulolytic and pectolytic enzymes, respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) in the studied shell extracts correlated significantly (p < 0.0001) positively with their antioxidant capacity determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method (r = 0.9275). Results of FRAP, TPC and phenolic acid composition in the studied shell extracts depend on the extraction conditions (solvent polarity, temperature, time), but they are independent on the addition of enzyme solutions. The antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in the resulting extracts increased with a line in extraction temperature and solvent polarity.     

Influence of liming and form of nitrogen fertilizer on nutrient uptake,growth, yield,and quality of Virginia (flue-cured) tobacco

Soil acidity is a limiting factor affecting the growth and yield of many crops all over the world. It is recognized that liming is the most common management practice of profitable crop production on acid soils. On the other hand, it is well-known that the form of nitrogen may affect tobacco yield and quality. In this work, the impact of the interaction between three hydrated lime (HL, Ca(OH)₂) rates (0, 1.5 and 3 t HL ha⁻¹) and three nitrogen fertilizer forms (NO₃-N 100%, NH₄-N 100% and NO₃-N 50% plus NH₄-N 50%) on growth, yield and quality characteristics of Virginia (flue-cured) tobacco was investigated in a 4-year (1995–1998) field experiment established in an acid soil (pH_{water 1:1} 5.3) located in Northern Greece. Lime was applied only once in December 1994, while nitrogen fertilizer was applied annually before transplanting. The results showed that the effect of liming on tobacco growth was not dependent on time, weather conditions and form of nitrogen fertilizer. Liming increased soil pH, enhanced the early growth of tobacco (within 30 days after transplanting (DAT)) and finally increased the total gross and trade yield of tobacco proportionally to the amount of HL added. However, the quality index (organoleptic characteristics) of the cured product was improved only at the HL application rate of 3 t HL ha⁻¹. Furthermore, liming significantly increased Ca and P concentrations but decreased K concentration in cured tobacco leaves. Tobacco yield increase was attributed to the increase of P uptake. Liming also increased the ash content of cured leaves, whereas it did not significantly affect nicotine, total nitrogen and reducing sugars. The use of ammonium N in fertilizer delayed the early growth of tobacco, reduced the nicotine concentration and increased the reducing sugars concentration of the cured product. Total-N, P, K and Mg concentrations of cured leaves were not significantly affected by the form of nitrogen fertilizer used. The results suggested that an initial application of hydrated lime at a rate of 3 t HL ha⁻¹ may ameliorate soil acidity and increase the yield and quality characteristics of Virginia tobacco at least over a 4-year period after application, independent of the form of N fertilizer used.     

Yield response of corn to irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in a Mediterranean environment

Productivity and resource-use efficiency in corn (Zea mays L.) are crucial issues in sustainable agriculture, especially in high-demand resource crops such as corn. The aims of this research were to compare irrigation scheduling and nitrogen fertilization rates in corn, evaluating yield, water (WUE), irrigation water (IRRWUE) and nitrogen use (NUE) efficiencies. A 2-year field experiment was carried out in a Mediterranean coastal area of Central Italy (175 mm of rainfall in the corn-growing period) and corn was subjected to three irrigation levels (rainfed and supply at 50 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) in interaction with three nitrogen fertilization levels (not fertilized, 15 and 30 g (N) m⁻²). The results indicated a large yearly variability, mainly due to a rainfall event at the silking stage in the first year; a significant irrigation effect was observed for all the variables under study, except for plant population. Nitrogen rates affected grain yield plant⁻¹ and ear⁻¹, grain and biomass yield, HI, WUE, IRRWUE and NUE, with significant differences between non-fertilized and the two fertilized treatments (15 and 30 g (N) m⁻²). Furthermore, deficit irrigation (50% of ETc) was to a large degree equal to 100% of the ETc irrigation regime. A significant interaction “N × I” was observed for grain yield and WUE. The effect of nitrogen availability was amplified at the maximum irrigation water regime. The relationships between grain yield and evapotranspiration showed basal ET, the amount necessary to start producing grain, of about 63 mm in the first and 206 mm in the second year. Rainfed crop depleted most of the water in the 0–0.6 m soil depth range, while irrigated scenarios absorbed soil water within the profile to a depth of 1.0 m. Corn in a Mediterranean area can be cultivated with acceptable yields while saving irrigation water and reducing nitrogen supply and also exploiting the positive interaction between these two factors, so maximizing resource-use efficiency.     

Oil extraction from coriander fruits by extrusion and comparison with solvent extraction processes

The aim of this work was to optimise a single-screw extruder dedicated to coriander production and to investigate the effects of screw configuration, nozzle diameter and nozzle/screw distance. On the other hand, the coriander fruit was extracted using soxhlet methods, the results were compared with mechanical screw press methods.Maximum yield was obtained with single screw extruder for a configuration allowing the strongest oil expression (nozzle/screw distance: 3 mm, nozzle diameter: 9 mm).Comparing with mechanical press, the maximum yield was obtained by the soxhlet extraction with 21.25%.The effect of the operating parameters on oil quality was not important. In all the experiments tested, the oil quality was very good. The acid value was below 1.8 mg of KOH/g of oil and iodine values were tolerable (44 mg of iodine/100 g of oil).Nine fatty acids were identified, with petroselinic acid accounting for 74-77% of the total fatty acids, followed by linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids, accounting for 12-13%, 4-6% and 3%, respectively, of the total fatty acids.β-Sitosterol was the major sterol in all oils with 28% of total sterols of all oils. The next major sterols in all oils were stigmasterol (24-27% of total sterols) and Δ⁷-stigmasterol (14-18% of total sterols).     

Spectral measurements of the total aerial N and biomass dry weight in maize using a quadrilateral-view optic

Heterogeneous crop stands require locally adapted nitrogen fertilizer application based on rapid and precise measurements of the local crop nitrogen status. In the present study, we validated a promising technique for the latter, namely a tractor-mounted field spectrometer with an oblique quadrilateral-view measuring optic, measuring solar radiation and canopy reflectance in four directions simultaneously. Dry matter yield (kg ha⁻¹), total N content (g N g⁻¹ dry matter) and total aerial N (aboveground N-uptake) (kg N ha⁻¹) in maize were determined in 10 m² calibration areas in 60 plots differing in their N treatment and seeding density three times in each of three years under field conditions. Results show that the sensor used can reliably determine total aerial N ranging from as little as 5 kg N to 150 kg N ha⁻¹ with R²-values ≥0.81 in 2002 and 2004, and with R²-values ranging from ≥0.57 to 0.84 in 2003. Dry matter yields from as low as 0.3–4.2 t ha⁻¹ could be determined with R²-values ranging from 0.67 to 0.91 in 2002 to 2004. The capacity to ascertain DM yield spectrally was drastically reduced in the higher yield range (>6 t ha⁻¹) probably due to decreased sensitivity of the spectral signal. N-contents were generally not well determined. Taken together there is a good potential to determine reliably differences in total aerial N or DM yield from the five leaf stages unfolded to the five node stage where typically nitrogen applications are carried out.     

Increases in leaf artemisinin concentration in Artemisia annua in response to the application of phosphorus and boron

Malaria resurgence particularly in the third world is considerable and exacerbated by the development of multi-drug resistances to chemicals such as chloroquinone. Drug therapies, as recommended by WHO include the use of antimalarial compounds derived from Artemisia annua L., i.e. artemisinin-based therapies. This work aims to determine how A. annua plant dry matter can be enhanced while maximising artemisinin concentration from understanding the plant's mineral requirements for P and B. Experiments with differing of P, from 5 to 120 mg L⁻¹ and B from 0.1 to 0.9 mg L⁻¹ were undertaken. Mineral nutrients were supplied in irrigation water to potted plants and after a period of growth, dry matter production and leaf artemisinin concentration were determined. Increases in P application enhanced plant growth and total dry matter production. An optimal application rate, with respect to dry matter, was apparent around 30 mg P L⁻¹. Despite increases in P application having no influence on leaf artemisinin concentration, optimal yields of artemisinin, on a per plant basis, were again achieved at supply rate around 30-60 mg L⁻¹. Increasing B application rate had little influence on dry matter production despite increases in B leaf tissue concentration promoting the total amount of B per plant. Leaf artemisinin concentration significantly increased with B application rate up to 0.6 mg B L⁻¹. The higher artemisinin concentrations when multiplied by total leaf dry matter at the higher B application rates produced an increase in total artemisinin production per plant. There was however no further significant effect on leaf artemisinin concentration when B supply concentrations increased further (0.9 mg L⁻¹). Artemisinin production varied between the two experiments to a greater extent than plant dry matter production and the reasons for this are discussed in relation to growing environments and their possible impacts on artemisinin biosynthesis.     

Response surface optimization of antioxidants extraction from chestnut (Castanea sativa) bur

The chestnut bur, a forest waste product from chestnut processing in the food industry, was studied as a potential source of natural antioxidants. Extractions were performed using aqueous solutions of methanol or ethanol. Experiments were planned according to an incomplete 3³ factorial design to study the influence of temperature (25-75 °C), time (30-120 min) and solvent concentration (50-90%) on extraction yield and on extract properties: total phenols content, antioxidant activity (using the FRAP, DPPH and ABTS methods) and average molecular weights. All dependent variables were influenced by temperature and solvent concentration whereas the influence of time was almost negligible. Using the response surface methodology the optimal extraction conditions were selected: the highest temperature assayed (75 °C), the lowest solvent concentration (50%) and an extraction time of 75 min for the methanolic extractions and of 30 min for the ethanolic ones. Under those conditions the values predicted for extraction yield and total phenols content were 18.95% and 36.32 g GAE/100 g extract for the methanolic extract and 17.95% and 26.11 g GAE/100 g extract for the ethanolic ones. Methanolic extracts showed superior total phenols content and antioxidant properties and slightly higher extraction yields than ethanolic extracts; however, ethanol is recommended for food applications due to its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) qualification. Gallic acid esters of glucose, ellagic acid and small proportions of quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside, phenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant properties, were identified in chestnut bur extracts by RP-HPLC-ESI-TOF.     

High-yield irrigated maize in the Western U.S. Corn Belt: II. Irrigation management and crop water productivity

Appropriate benchmarks for water productivity (WP), defined here as the amount of grain yield produced per unit of water supply, are needed to help identify and diagnose inefficiencies in crop production and water management in irrigated systems. Such analysis is lacking for maize in the Western U.S. Corn Belt where irrigated production represents 58% of total maize output. The objective of this paper was to quantify WP and identify opportunities to increase it in irrigated maize systems of central Nebraska. In the present study, a benchmark for maize WP was (i) developed from relationships between simulated yield and seasonal water supply (stored soil water and sowing-to-maturity rainfall plus irrigation) documented in a previous study; (ii) validated against actual data from crops grown with good management over a wide range of environments and water supply regimes (n = 123); and (iii) used to evaluate WP of farmer's fields in central Nebraska using a 3-y database (2005–2007) that included field-specific values for yield and applied irrigation (n = 777). The database was also used to quantify applied irrigation, irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE; amount of yield produced per unit of applied irrigation), and the impact of agronomic practices on both parameters. Opportunities to improve irrigation management were evaluated using a maize simulation model in combination with actual weather records and detailed data on soil properties and crop management collected from a subset of fields (n = 123). The linear function derived from the relationship between simulated grain yield and seasonal water supply, namely the mean WP function (slope = 19.3 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹; x-intercept = 100 mm), proved to be a robust benchmark for maize WP when compared with actual yield and water supply data. Average farmer's WP in central Nebraska was ∼73% of the WP derived from the slope of the mean WP function. A substantial number of fields (55% of total) had water supply in excess of that required to achieve yield potential (900 mm). Pivot irrigation (instead of surface irrigation) and conservation tillage in fields under soybean–maize rotation had the greatest IWUE and yield. Applied irrigation was 41 and 20% less under pivot and conservation tillage than under surface irrigation and conventional tillage, respectively. Simulation analysis showed that up to 32% of the annual water volume allocated to irrigated maize in the region could be saved with little yield penalty, by switching current surface systems to pivot, improving irrigation schedules to be more synchronous with crop water requirements and, as a fine-tune option, adopting limited irrigation.